Riptide Come From Behind to Defeat Islanders
Keith Antigiovanni
Monday June 3, 2002
San Diego’s win improved their record to 4-5 while Hawaii (1-8) dropped its eighth straight game.
Kane Claunch, MVP of the game, continued to show Riptide fans why he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the league throwing four touchdown passes with his top two receivers, Marty Graham and Ryan Smith, out due to injury. With Graham and Smith sidelined Aazaar Abdul-Rahim and Altie Parker stepped in each catching two touchdown passes. “That’s what I’m here to do is make plays and score touchdowns. This was a must-win game for us and we responded to it, “ Parker said.
While the offense continued to roll, defense and special teams took care of the rest. After the Riptide went up 30-27 late in the fourth quarter Brad Greetis’ fumble recovery in the end zone for a touchdown turned the game in San Diego’s favor. “ Geisler made an awesome kickoff and the returner seemed shock because the ball didn’t take a clean bounce off the nets,” Greetis said. The moment of hesitation allowed Greetis to race in and recover the ball to give San Diego a 10-point lead. Greetis also made a key third-down reception from Claunch to run the clock out. For a guy who entered the season he’s made a ton of big plays in the first 9 games.
On the next play from scrimmage newly-acquired DS Kenny Haslip sealed the game when he cut in front of the Hawaii receiver for a 10-yard interception return. Haslip had two interceptions on the night, the second of which came in the end zone to halt Hawaii’s last scoring threat.
In the win the Riptide defense and kicking game continued its improvement. Kicker Ryan Geisler converted five of six extra points and booted a 35-yard field goal. It appears as if Coach Cree Morris has confidence in Geisler since he doesn’t hesitate to send him on long-range field goals.
The defense seemed re-energize with the return of DS Kevin Burton who went down in the first half of week one. His injury forced him to miss 7 games and in his absence the Riptide struggled defensively. “Its great to be back. I only add to the talent we already have. I bring my own flavor to a bunch of flavors, “Burton said.
The Riptide will get a third crack at Bakersfield as they hit the road this week. The Blitz have already defeated San Diego twice at home 49-43 in OT on opening night and 43-33 two weeks ago. It’s another must win game for a young squad that cant afford to lose any games the rest of the way if they hope to make the playoffs.
Keith Antigiovanni is a free-lance writer in San Diego, California. He has worked for several local newspapers covering sports, government and business. Keith started writing in 1995 after graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Mass Media Communications from the University of San Diego. Aside from working as a sportswriter he has a side business of providing marketing assistance/research for small businesses and also directs,produces and hosts a regular public access television show on Time-Warner Cable named "San Diego Yesterday". Antigiovanni is also a member of the San Diego Sportswriter Association.
